Device for Minecraft

[choosername1234]

Help needed please
9yr old DS wants to play Minecraft. Our ancient laptop won't support it.
I want something he can connect with his friends online in Minecraft.
New laptop? Switch? Something else?
What devices do your kids use to play on?

I think with Minecraft, it doesn’t cross platform and so you’d need to have the same device as what his friends have.

My DS has a PS4 and so can’t play with his friends who have it on PC.

Sorry I have just Googled and see that they have now solved that issue! 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

My ds plays on his xbox

Mine started off playing it on a kindle fire tablet - but it's on many many different platforms.

If you want the java version you need a pc. If you want the bedrock version you can play on pc, xbox, ps4/5 or whatever. There are differences between the two versions when it comes to some of the game mechanics and with things like redstone (if he's into following tutorials on YouTube it makes a difference).

Personally, I find it a lot easier to play with a keyboard than a controller, but it's personal preference. I also play on a java SMP and only rarely use bedrock.

Best thing is to see what most of his friends are playing on and go with that. My daughter plays on switch and can play with friends on other platforms but can’t speak to them whilst playing. The benefit of the switch is that you can play on tv screen or use it as a handheld
Device when out and about.

My DD (8) plays on my laptop. It doesn’t support the Java thingy (sorry not tech savvy) but there’s an option on their website to download the minecraft launcher and after that is done there is options on the left hand side of the website for windows, click that and there’s a play button to push.
There’s also older windows options (not sure where as I haven’t needed to use them)

My DS (6) plays on his Xbox one S.

My girls both play java on laptops & bedrock on x-box one (not sure what variety 🤷‍♀️).

Dd1 prefers the keyboard/trackpad of the laptop but sometimes plays with friends on the xbox.

Dd2 is the opposite, preferring to play on xbox (either her own worlds or with friends) but does sometimes play on her laptop.

Do you already have a console he could play on? Mine used to play down here, on the xbox, before their interests (Minecraft-wise) went in different directions.

Thanks everyone. Would a Nintendo switch work?

Yes, my son used to play on my iPad but now plays on his Switch very happily - and can connect with friends to play together (but don't ask me how!)